Drugs and alcohol can harm both the user and the community. When people are heavily influenced by substances, it creates serious safety risks, particularly when driving or working. Therefore, many companies decide to look for drug and alcohol testing near me. Employers can easily find nearby testing centres by searching for the most convenient location in their area. Moreover, onsite testing offers several advantages. It improves safety, provides quick results, and is cost-effective.

Over the years, drug and alcohol abuse has impacted people’s health, relationships, and livelihood. Moreover, impaired substance use is the leading cause of road and workplace accidents. Consequently, businesses take proactive steps to ensure a safe and secure work environment. By implementing a workplace policy, organisations can reduce risks and save money. This article will present the relevance of workplace testing, the advantages of onsite testing, and different test methods.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me: Relevance of Onsite Testing

Workplace injuries can happen unexpectedly, such as from trips and falls. Furthermore, alcohol and drug use raises the chances of accidents. Substance impairment is a major cause of work-related injuries. It also harms productivity due to poor performance and more absences. Therefore, employers consider drug and alcohol testing near me. Hence, onsite drug and alcohol testing enable companies to detect and address these hazards quickly.

High-risk industries such as mining, transportation, and construction have a zero-tolerance policy. Employees in these positions must always be drug-free and sober. Workplace policies help employers effectively handle occupational hazards. These include establishing safety protocols and implementing regular testing to discourage substance use. Likewise, it ensures that employees are aware of their responsibilities in maintaining a safe work environment.

Not all workplaces demand drug and alcohol testing. However, every company is legally responsible under the Health and Safety at Work Act in New Zealand. This ensures a safe working environment for their employees. This includes effectively managing or reducing avoidable hazards. As a result, many organisations choose to implement a workplace policy, particularly if they have a history of substance abuse-related incidents.

Drug and Alcohol Policies

• Objective: to ensure a safe and drug-free work environment by identifying impaired employees.
• Who is subject to testing: all employees or specific categories of employees as defined by the company’s policy.
• When to administer: during pre-employment, randomly, following accidents, reasonable suspicion, and return to work.
• What substances to be tested: alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and other controlled substances.
• What testing methods to use: urine, breath, oral fluid, hair, or blood test, depending on the desired detection window.
• What happens if a test result is positive: leads to further investigation or disciplinary action according to the company’s policy.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me: Onsite Testing Advantages

Onsite drug and alcohol testing offers many advantages. It improves safety by minimising risk. Regular screening ensures that employees are not under the influence while operating machinery or handling hazardous materials. Moreover, it helps identify employees with substance abuse issues, allowing the company to provide treatment or support. Additionally, it acts as a deterrent for chronic substance use.

On top of that, employers can utilise mobile laboratory services to conduct tests conveniently near the work site. Instead of employees having to go to a clinic, testing agencies bring a mobile facility. They secure a location where they collect and analyse specimen samples. This enables onsite testing to provide quick results within minutes. This is particularly important for high-risk industries that require immediate reports.

Furthermore, onsite testing allows companies to save money and resources. It enables simultaneous testing of multiple employees, allowing those who test negative to return to work quickly. This reduces downtime and minimises productivity loss compared to people going to clinics. Also, onsite screening is cost-effective compared to laboratory services. Overall, these advantages are the reason why companies look for drug and alcohol testing near me.

When to Conduct Drug and Alcohol Tests

Drug and alcohol tests serve different purposes depending on the circumstances. Firstly, pre-employment testing aims to prevent the hiring of candidates with substance abuse problems or risky behaviours. Secondly, post-incident testing is conducted within a reasonable timeframe after an accident. It allows employers to gather accurate information regarding substance use.

Thirdly, random testing involves unannounced tests. It helps maintain a level of vigilance and discourages inappropriate behaviour. Fourthly, reasonable suspicion testing is performed when an employee exhibits symptoms of impairment. Lastly, return-to-duty testing is conducted after an absence to ensure that an employee is fit to resume their duties safely.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me: Test Methods

Workplaces can facilitate drug and alcohol testing near me according to their testing needs. The common methods used are urine and breath alcohol testing. Urine tests can identify illegal substances and the improper use of prescription drugs. Moreover, urine samples can detect drugs and alcohol for up to 48 hours after the last use. Employers may also opt for oral fluid tests to detect recent drug exposure.

While urine and saliva can detect alcohol, a breath test is the preferred method for alcohol screening. Within 15 minutes of alcohol consumption, breath samples can contain ethanol. A breathalyser, like BACtrack from Breathalysers New Zealand, can quickly measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in the breath. Lastly, hair follicle tests can detect drug usage over the past 90 days.

Furthermore, drug and alcohol screening facilities utilise rapid test kits that can provide results within five minutes. Instant urine test kits cannot measure the quantity of drugs in the body. Therefore, a more comprehensive analysis of a positive result requires laboratory examination. Nonetheless, these rapid tests can be advantageous for workplaces in need of testing while also being cost-effective.

Workplace Breathalyser

A workplace breathalyser, such as SHIELD Express Identity, effectively checks a person’s BAC level. It uses a fuel cell sensor, which is the standard in the industry for accurate and dependable alcohol breath tests. These devices are precise at detecting ethanol and do not respond to other substances.

Moreover, fuel cell breathalysers are not affected by other alcohol compounds, ensuring that the BAC results remain accurate. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those following a low-calorie or carbohydrate diet. Additionally, fuel cell breathalysers maintain their accuracy for a longer period compared to standard semiconductor breathalysers before requiring recalibration.

Conclusion

Onsite drug and alcohol testing near me offers several advantages for companies. It improves safety by minimising risks associated with substance impairment. Hence, employees can handle tasks efficiently. In addition, onsite testing allows for quick identification of employees with substance abuse issues. Moreover, it utilises mobile laboratory services directly to the work site, providing quick results and lowering costs. Overall, onsite testing enhances safety, productivity, and employee well-being in the workplace.

Furthermore, a workplace breathalyser, such as the SHIELD Express Identity, offers an effective means to measure BAC levels. It uses fuel cell sensors to provide precise results unaffected by other alcohol compounds. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those following a low-calorie or carbohydrate diet. Furthermore, fuel cell breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand maintain accuracy for extended periods before recalibration. These devices play a crucial role in promoting responsible alcohol consumption and maintaining a productive workforce.